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Australia concerned about Hong Kong national security laws
The Australian law council has expressed concerns about China’s national security laws, which contain “deeply troubling and problematic features”.
Naomi Neilson
China’s National People’s Congress is unilaterally seeking to enact national security laws in a Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR), but the Law Council of Australia (LCA) is concerned the draft decision breaches an international convent on civil rights.
The decision also authorises the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) to create laws and enforcement mechanisms to “safeguard national security”.
“The concern is that what constitutes ‘acts of secession’ and ‘subversion of power’ and in ‘political organisations’ may be interpreted widely and capture activities that are protected by International [Covenant] on Civil and Political Rights,” said LCA president Pauline Wright.
The Law Council reiterated concerns expressed by the Hong Kong Bar Association when questioning the legality of the proposed laws, and fears that the new laws will be absorbed into Hong Kong’s basic law by way of decree from the chief executive.
It comes after a joint statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and UK, US and Canadian counterparts, which outlines concerns that the proposed national security laws run counter to the need for respectful dialogue towards peaceful resolutions.
“The international legal community is alarmed that these laws, drafted by NPCSC, could be made law without adequate public consultation,” Ms Wright said.
“The Law Council is deeply troubled the laws will undermine rights protected by ICCPR. In particular, the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association and the freedom of peaceful assembly.”
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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